Nemesia plant named ‘FLEURBW’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Nemesia  plant named ‘FLEURBW’ that is characterized by compact habit, large fragrant bi-colored red-purple and white flowers which bloom from early spring through summer and into fall and which almost entirely cover the plant at peak flowering. In combination these characteristics set ‘FLEURBW’ apart from all other existing varieties of  Nemesia  known to the inventor.

Genus: NEMESIA.

Species: ×hybrida.

Denomination: ‘FLEURBW’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(f) of the application for a grant of European Community Plant Variety Rights which was filed for the instant plant variety on Jan. 14, 2010, File Number 2010/0085.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Nemesia plant that is grown as an ornamental plant for use in the garden border, in patio containers or in the landscape. The new cultivar is known botanically as Nemesia×hybrida and will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘FLEURBW’.

‘FLEURBW’ resulted from a formal breeding program begun by the inventor in 1998 at her nursery in West Sussex, United Kingdom. The purpose of the breeding program is to produce new varieties of Nemesia that exhibit compact habit and new flower colors and color combinations.

In 2004, the inventor conducted controlled cross-pollination between the inventor's variety of Nemesia plant named ‘FLEURBAC” (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,931) as male parent, and an unnamed and unreleased seedling raised by the inventor as female parent. This cross-pollination produced many seedlings from which the inventor selected ‘FLEURBW’. The inventor selected ‘FLEURBW’ for the attractiveness and uniqueness of its bi-colored flowers whose upper lip is bright red-purple in color and which contrasts with the predominantly clear white color of the lower lip of the flowers. In addition, the inventor was attracted to the tidy compact form of the new seedling and the amount of bloom at peak flowering.

‘FLEURBW’ may be compared with the bi-colored male parent, ‘FLEURBAC’. ‘FLEURBAC’ is also the closest comparison variety known to the inventor, since both ‘FLEURBAC and ‘FLEURBW’ are bi-colored and have a compact habit. However, whereas the upper lip of the flower of ‘FLEURBAC’ is violet-blue in color, the upper lip of ‘FLEURBW’ is red-purple in color.

‘FLEURBW’ may be compared with the unreleased female parent as follows: Whereas the upper lip of the flower of ‘FLEURBW’ is red-purple in color and the lower lip of ‘FLEURBW’ is white, the upper and lower lips of the female parent are pink and pale pink respectively.

‘FLEURBW’ may also be compared with another of the inventor's varieties, ‘FLEURRAS’ (unpatented). Both ‘FLEURBW’ and ‘FLEURRAS’ exhibit red-purple (upper lip) and white (lower lip) bi-colored flowers. The flowers of ‘FLEURBW” exhibit significantly less “bleeding” of color from upper lip to lower lip which results in an almost entirely white lower lip. In addition, the plant height of ‘FLEURRAS’ is approximately 25% greater than the height of ‘FLEURBW’.

‘FLEURBW’ was first asexually propagated by the inventor in 2004 in a cultivated area of West Sussex, United Kingdom using softwood cuttings. The inventor has determined that the distinguishing characteristics of ‘FLEURBW’ are stable and are reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent the distinguishing characteristics of ‘FLEURBW’. In combination these traits set the new cultivar apart from all other existing varieties of Nemesia known to the inventor. ‘FLEURBW’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance in genotype.

-   -   1. ‘FLEURBW’ exhibits upright compact habit.     -   2. ‘FLEURBW’ exhibits large fragrant bi-colored flowers.     -   3. The upper lip of the flower of ‘FLEURBW’ is red-purple in         color.     -   4. The lower lip of the flower of ‘FLEURBW’ is predominantly or         completely white in color with little “bleeding” of the         red-purple color from the upper lip.     -   5. ‘FLEURBW’ blooms from early spring through summer and into         fall.     -   6. At peak flowering, the foliage of ‘FLEURBW’ is almost         entirely covered with flowers.     -   7. ‘FLEURBW’ achieves a height and spread of approximately 16 cm         in its first season of growth from a cutting.     -   8. ‘FLEURBW’ sets few seeds.     -   9. ‘FLEURBW’ is hardy and perennial in USDA Zone 8 regions and         warmer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of the new Nemesia cultivar ‘FLEURBW’ showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the drawings may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actual colors of the new variety ‘FLEURBW’. The drawings are made of nine months old plants which have been grown in 1 liter containers in a frost-protected greenhouse in West Sussex, United Kingdom.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 1 depicts a whole plant of ‘FLEURBW’ at its peak of flowering.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of the bi-colored flowers of ‘FLEURBW’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of ‘FLEURBW’ which has been compiled from records and observations of plants grown by the inventor in West Sussex, United Kingdom. Data and descriptions have been taken from nine months old plants which have been grown in a cool greenhouse in 1 liter containers. No growth regulators have been used. Phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions. The color determinations are in accordance with the 2007 Edition of The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Nemesia×hybrida ‘FLEURBW’. -   Genus: Nemesia. -   Species: ×hybrida. -   Denomination: ‘FLEURBW’. -   Commercial classification: Ornamental. -   Common name: Nemesia. -   Suggested uses: For use in the garden border, in patio containers or     in the landscape. -   Suggested commercial container size: 9 cm or 1-liter containers. -   Cultural needs: Full sun, moist well-draining soil or peat-based     medium, and application of a general plant fertilizer during the     growing season. -   Parentage: ‘FLEURBW’ resulted from the cross-pollination of the     following parent plants:     -   -   Male parent.—Nemesia ‘FLEURBAC’.         -   Female parent.—Unnamed and unreleased seedling of Nemesia. -   Propagation: Softwood cuttings. -   Growth Habit: Upright, compact habit. -   Vigor: Vigorous. -   Plant dimensions: 16 cm. in height and 16 cm. in width when grown to     flowering in a 1-liter container. -   Type: Perennial in USDA Zone 8 and warmer. Annual in colder regions. -   Seasonal interest: Blooms in spring with bi-colored flowers that are     red-purple and white in color. The bright yellow palate of each     flower is considered an attractive feature. -   Time to initiate roots: Approximately 14 days are needed to develop     roots on initial cuttings. -   Temperatures to initiate rooting: The air temperature that is     recommended for rooting is 16° Celsius and the soil temperature that     is recommended for rooting is 24° Celsius. -   Crop time (from planting a rooted cutting): Approximately 8 weeks to     produce a finished 9 cm. container plant in bud and first flower,     and 3 months to produce a finished flowering 1-liter container plant     after one pinch. -   Root system: Fine. -   Hardiness: Hardy to minus 6° Celsius or USDA Zone 8. -   Disease and pest susceptibility: ‘FLEURBW’ is susceptible to viruses     and whitefly. -   Special growing requirements:     -   -   Pruning.—Pinch back when potted from plug to commercial             container.         -   Growing medium.—Well-drained peat based medium is             recommended.         -   Light.—Normal daylight. -   Growing problems: None known to the inventor. -   Stem:     -   -   Stem shape.—Quadrate.         -   Stem length.—10 cm-15 cm.         -   Stem diameter.—2 mm-3 mm in diameter.         -   Stem surface.—Glabrous.         -   Stem color.—137D.         -   Pubescence.—None.         -   Internode length.—12 mm-15 mm.         -   Branching habit.—Pinching stimulates basal and axillary             branching. -   Foliage:     -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Opposite.         -   Type.—Evergreen.         -   Leaf shape.—Oval.         -   Leaf division.—Simple.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Rounded.         -   Margins.—Dentate.         -   Surface.—Glabrous.         -   Leaf pubescence.—None observed.         -   Leaf length.—2 cm-3 cm.         -   Leaf width.—7 mm-12 mm.         -   Leaf color (both surfaces).—137A.         -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.         -   Petiole shape.—Sulcate.         -   Petiole surface.—Glabrous.         -   Petiole dimensions.—3 mm-5 mm in length and 1.5 mm-2.0 mm in             width.         -   Petiole color.—137A.         -   Vein pattern.—Pinnate.         -   Vein color.—As leaf lamina, 137A. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flowering season.—Spring.         -   Fragrance.—Strongly perfumed with vanilla-like scent.         -   Self-cleaning or persistent.—Self-cleaning.         -   Type of inflorescence.—Corymb.         -   Number of corymbs per plant.—Initially few, increasing to             40-50 at peak flowering.         -   Number of flowers per corymb.—From 2-4 initially, increasing             to 10-15.         -   Number of flowers per plant.—Very many, in the region of 500             individual flowers at peak flowering.         -   Peduncle dimensions.—2.0 cm-2.5 cm in length; 1.5 mm-2.0 mm             in diameter.         -   Peduncle shape.—Quadrate.         -   Peduncle surface.—Glabrous.         -   Peduncle color.—139B.         -   Pedicel dimensions.—8 mm-10 mm in length; 0.5 mm-1.0 mm. in             diameter.         -   Pedicel shape.—Quadrate.         -   Pedicel surface.—Glabrous.         -   Pedicel color.—139C.         -   Bud shape.—Globular.         -   Bud color.—Emerges 157D, becoming 158A immediately prior to             opening.         -   Bud surface.—Glabrous.         -   Bud dimensions.—7 mm. in diameter immediately prior to             opening.         -   Quantity of buds.—Up to 15 buds per corymb.         -   Flower shape.—Corolla personate with single spur (pouch) at             the base.         -   Flower dimensions.—2 cm in length and 2 cm in width.         -   Flower color.—The following colors are all individually             present on each flower: Upper lip: 61C, 58A and 73D. Lower             lip: Pure white (lighter than any color chart reading), 8A,             61C.         -   Corolla tube dimensions.—6 mm. in length; 2 mm. in diameter.         -   Corolla tube color.—Inner surface: 155A. Outer surface:             Ranges between 155C and 158D.         -   Palate (pollinator landing platform).—Shape: Rectangular             bifid protuberance. Dimensions (entire palate): 5 mm in             length; 3 mm in width. Color: 8A.         -   Upper lip.—Lip dimensions overall: 15 mm in width and 5 mm             in height. Lobes: Upper lip comprised of 4 basally fused             lobes. Lobe dimensions: 4 mm-5 mm in width; 4 mm-5 mm in             height. Lobe apex: Rounded. Lobe base: Gently cordate. Lobe             margins: Entire. Lobe surface: Glabrous. Lobe color (as             lip): 61C with darker veins 58A and pale pink margins 73D.         -   Lower lip (entire).—Dimensions: 15 mm in width; 10 mm in             height Apex: Emarginate. Base: Attenuate and forming mouth             of nectar tube (spur). Margins: Entire. Surface: Glabrous.             Color: Pure white ground (lighter than any color chart             reading) on which lemon-yellow palate 8A, small             (approximately 2 mm×2 mm) patches of red-purple 61C.         -   Nectary (spur).—Shape: Cylindrical, slightly reflexed away             from lower lip. Dimensions: 3 mm-5 mm in length; 1.0 mm-1.5             mm in diameter, tapering towards rounded apex. Color: 163C.         -   Calyx shape.—Palmate with 5 basally fused sepals.         -   Sepal surface.—Glabrous.         -   Sepal apex.—Acute.         -   Sepal margin.—Entire.         -   Sepal dimensions.—3 mm. in length and 1 mm. in width.         -   Sepals fused or unfused.—Unfused.         -   Sepal color (both surfaces).—137B becoming darker 147A             toward apex.         -   Lastingness of individual flower.—An individual flower lasts             7-10 days. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Two in number.         -   Color of stamens.—155A.         -   Stamen dimensions.—2 mm. in length and less than 0.25 mm. in             diameter.         -   Anther color.—5C.         -   Amount of pollen.—Moderate.         -   Pollen color.—5C.         -   Anther dimensions.—1 mm. in length and less than 0.50 mm. in             width.         -   Pistil.—One.         -   Pistil color.—144D.         -   Pistil dimensions.—1 mm. in length and 0.25 mm. in diameter.         -   Ovary.—Superior, globular, less than 0.50 mm. in height and             diameter, pale green in color.         -   Seed.—Sparse, flattened oval, 2 mm in length, 1.25 mm in             width, mid-brown in color. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Nemesia plant named ‘FLEURBW’ as described and illustrated herein. 